Birding in Arusha National Park: Forest, Lakes and Crater Birds Beneath Mount Meru

Few parks in Tanzania offer so much variety so close to a major town. Within a morning you can walk or drive from dense forest, where turacos and trogons call, to the Momella Lakes, where flocks of waterbirds feed, and on to open grassland with raptors overhead. The park is small enough to explore in a day and rich enough to repay a longer visit.

This guide describes the main habitats, the notable birds, the best months and how to arrange a birding day. It is also a useful warm-up for a longer northern circuit safari.

This guide is part of our animals of Uganda and East Africa guide. When you are ready to plan, see our Uganda safari packages or the Ameera Africa Safaris Uganda tours homepage.

Habitats and Their Birds

The lakes are the easiest place to start, and the forest rewards early starts. Plan your day so that you reach the forest at first light and the lakes later in the morning when the light is better for photography.

Forest Birds

The forest holds some of the most attractive birds in northern Tanzania. Hartlaub's turaco calls loudly from the canopy, and narina trogon, a soft-voiced and colourful bird, perches quietly in dense growth. Silvery-cheeked hornbill, a large forest hornbill with a booming call, flies between fruiting trees, and robin-chats and other small birds forage in the understorey. Forest birding is mostly listening, so ask your guide to explain calls and move slowly. See the turaco profile and hornbill profile.

The Momella Lakes

The shallow lakes attract waterbirds in numbers. Flamingos feed in the shallows when conditions suit, and ducks, grebes, black-winged stilts and herons are regular visitors. Egyptian geese walk along the shore, and migrant waders may pass through in the northern winter. Water levels change, so the birds shift from year to year. Scanning from a viewpoint with a telescope or long lens reduces disturbance. See the flamingo profile for more about this iconic group.

Grassland, Crater and Raptors

The open areas and crater edges are good for birds of prey and ground birds. Look for augur buzzards, eagles and kestrels hunting over the grass, and francolins and larks along the tracks. Mammals such as giraffes, buffalo and warthogs share these habitats, so you can combine birding with general wildlife viewing. See the Arusha National Park wildlife guide for the mammals.

Best Months to Visit

The park is open all year, and the dry months from about June to October and from January to February give clear views of Mount Meru and firm tracks. The long rains from March to May bring cloud and mud, while migrants from Europe and Asia swell the lists from about November to April. See Arusha National Park best time to visit for a fuller seasonal guide.

How to Bird the Park

Drives are the main way to cover the park, and rangers can lead short walks in designated areas, which suits forest and lake edges. Canoe trips may be offered on some lakes, subject to local rules. Start early and keep noise low. Binoculars, a field guide and a hat are the essentials. See Arusha National Park activities and how to get to Arusha National Park for practical details.

Combining the Park With Other Stops

Because it is so close to Arusha town, the park works as a short first or last day on a northern circuit trip. It combines well with Mount Meru, with Tarangire for dry-country birds and with the northern circuit safari. For wider guidance on birds in the region see the East Africa birding guide, and for accommodation types see where to stay in Arusha.

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Related Tours, Guides and Resources

• Ameera Africa Safaris homepage: Uganda safaris, tours and holidays
• Uganda safari packages
• Uganda travel guide
• How to book a Uganda safari
• Plan your safari with our team